Grab



Aug. 11, 1953 w. J. OLSON 2,648,552

GRAB

Filed Jan. 26, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. WALTER J. OLSON ATTORNEYS 1, 1953 w. J. OLSON 2,648,562

GRAB

Filed Jan. 26, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 5 FIG-.9

INVENTOR. WALTER J. OLSON Wm Mo COMM ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 11, 1953 TED STATES PATENT F F IiCfE GRAB Walter -J.0lson, Clifton, N. J. assignor'to "American BrakelShoe Company, .-New York, N. Y., .a corporation ofllelaware Application January' 26, 1949, Serial N0.-72,81-'7 .3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to grabs, and moreparticularly to grabs of the :type especially well adapted "for use .infoundries, 'or similar "places, to pick up and .transportiwheel molds-brother round obj ects.

Various types of grabs .have been heretofore known-and used in zthe art. .l-Iowever, 'such'grabs have had several inherent disadvantages such as for examplebeing costlyzand difiicult tomanufacture; being difiicult and impractical Lin-sconstruction and operation, and the like.

A;primar-y object of-:my invention 'is to overcome these disadvantages :and to .afiord a novel grab which maybe {economically manufactured andzispractical and efiicient in construction and operation.

Another object of my invention is to enable molds :of :other than the conventional form, such as,*for example, wheelmolds, andthe like, to be picked upzina novel and expeditious manner.

Aiurther object 'of my invention is to aiTord arnovelzgrabrhaving:a pluralityof spaced, radially projecting arms which are simultaneously engageable with a-wheel mold, or a .likearticle of work, 1in.a ,noveland expeditious manner, and when isoengaged with the work. are :efiective to support'the sameain anefiicient, practical manner.

.Yet anotherobject of my invention .is to afford agrab :of the aforementioned type wherein 'the plurality of work-engaging arms thereof maybe positively moved both 'into and out of workengaging position" by a commonsmeans .in a.:novel andexpeditious manner.

.iAn .obiectr-ancillaryto the foregoing is :to-enable aznovel grabito be constructed in such a mannerthat the :grappling arms thereof may be moved'sintoand out of work-engagingposition-by a reciprocating plunger.

Other and further objects of the present invention will :be apparent from the following descrliption and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show apreferred embodiment and the principles thereof and what l now consider 'to'be the-best mode in which I'have contemplated 'applying those :principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles :m-ay :be .used and :structural .changes may :be made as desired 'by1those skilled :in :the art without departing fromthe present invention and the ?purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings ,Fig. :1 .is a top plan v,viewof-a .grabembodying the principles oflmyinvention;

Fig. 2 .is asectional view taken substantially alongthe"line22 in Fig. '1;

*Fig; 3 .is 'a/detail sectional view taken substantiallyaalong the ,line 3- 3 in Fig. 2;

i'Fig. 4' is a detail :e'levational view 10f the upper portion ofthe grab looking in the direction of the arrows 44in Fig. 1

Fig. '5 is an enlarged detail "view, somewhat similar to Fig. 2 "but "with certain parts thGI- GOT broken :away

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 in"Fig.'5;

Fig. 7 is a detailsectional view' takensubstantially along the line '1 1inFig."5;

-Fig. 8 is a detail sectional View taken-substantially along the'line 8-8 in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional =view-'taken-substantially along theline 9-9 inFig. '8.

Thegrab "20 shownin the accompanying-drawings to illustratethepreferredembodimentof-my invention, comprises, in general, a *frameZZ on which "are pivotally mounted three grappling arms 24, 25 and 26, which aresubstantially C- shaped, the lower endportions of the grappling arms beingadapted-to be swung towardzand away fromjeach other into and out of'work-engaging position, as will be discussed in greater detail presently.

"The "frame 2 2 ,is "preferably substantially Jrectangular in :shape and comprises two elongated end "members .28 and 29, and two .relongatedyside members 31 and 32, 'Whichmay "beformed of any suitable .material such as, 'for example,;channe1 irons, and;are connected together atthe'ir ends by suitable means such :as :welding34. Two'intermediate members 536 and 37. are disposed transverselyacrosstheframeZZ'b'etweenthe side-members'3l and32 'andwelded thereto in spaced-relation to each other and in parallel relation to the endmembers ,"28 .and 129.

A "substantially circular-shamed disk 39 mounted on the lower intermediate surface of the frame 22 land is ,connected :thereto as by welding All. Three substantially inverted L- shaped-guide arms 42, "43 and 4'4 are welded to the lower. suriaceojf the disk39and proj ECtfdOWIlwardly .an'cl outwardly "therefrom, each of the guide arm-s '42-'44 having 'a notch "'46 "formed in the lower "end portion-thereof within which the upper'endportion 'oi'an article of work, such as a'mold 4", may normallybe engaged*Whenthe articleisbeing supported by the grab 20, 'as will bejdiscussed'in greater detail hereinafter.

Six .mounting .fianges or supporting .flanges 48 are welded to the sides of the guide. arms '42..44, each lof fthe .flangesl48 projecting outwardly from a respective side of a corresponding one "of the guide arms 4244 at an acute angle thereto, Fig. 1.

The grappling arms 24, 25 and 26 are bifurcated in form, each comprising two elongated side members 24a and 24b, 25a and 25b, and 26a and 2612, respectively, having outwardly flared upper end portions pivotally mounted between a respective pair of the flanges 48 by suitable means such as bolts I, 52 and 53, respectively, a suitable spacer block 54, Figs. 2 and 6, being disposed between each of the side members 24a, 24b, a, 25b, 26a and 26b, and the adjacent flange 48. The lower end portions of the side members 24a and 24b, 25a. and 25b, and 26a, and 26b, ofthe grappling arms 24-26, respectively, are disposed in closely adjacent parallel relation to each other and the side members of each grappling arm 24-26 are connected together by gusset plates 55 and 56 connected thereto by suitable means such as welding 58 and 59, respectively. The grappling arms 24-26 are each pivotally suspended on the bolts or rods 5I-53, respectively, and each has work-engaging jaws 60, BI and 62, respectively, mounted on the lower end portion thereof and projecting radially inwardly therefrom, the jaws 60-62 being formed of suitable means such as sheet metal, and being connected to the lower end portion of the grappling arms such as by welding 64.

Thus, it will be seen that the grappling arms 24-26 are pivotally suspended from flanges 48 projecting from respective pairs of the guide arms 42-44, the grappling arm 24 being suspended between the guide arms 42 and 43; and the grappling arm 26 being suspended between the guide arms 42 and 44, and the grappling arms 24-26 being adapted to be swung toward and away from each other on the rods 51-53, respectively.

A power unit 66 comprising a housing or cylinder 68 in which is reciprocably mounted a piston J 61, is mounted on the upper surface of the frame 22, the cylinder 68 being attached to the intermediate arms 36 and 3? thereof by bolts I9. A plunger 69 is mounted on the lower end portion of the piston 61 and is releasably connected thereto by suitable means such as a set screw II, the plunger 69 projects downwardly from the piston 6'! through an opening I2 formed in the center of the disk 39 and is reciprocably mounted in a bushing I4 disposed in axial alignment with r the opening I2 between the guide arms 42-44, the bushing I4 being connected to the guide arms 42-44 by welding I6. An opening 'Il', Figs. 2 and 5, may be provided in the intermediate member 37 directly opposite the lower end portion of the piston 61 to afford ready access to the set screw 'II.

A collar member I8 having three outwardly projecting flanges 86, 6| and 62, is mounted on the lower end portion of the plunger 69 and is secured thereto by suitable means such as welding 84. The flanges 80, BI and 82 are disposed in alignment with the grappling arms 24, 25 and 26, respectively, and are connected thereto by links 86, 8'! and 66, the links 86, 81 and 88 each comprising two elongated side members 86a and 86b, 61a and 81b, and 88a and 881), respectively, having one end portion connected to the flanges 86, 8I and 82, on opposite sides thereof, by bolts 96, 9| and 92, respectively, and being connected at their other ends to ears 94, 95 and 96, projecting from the grappling arms 24, 25 and 26, by bolts 98, 99 and I99, respectively. Thus, it will be seen that, as best shown in Fig. 2, reciprocation of the piston 61 relative to the cylinder 6B of the power unit 66 is effective, through the interconnection of the plunger 69 with the grappling arms 24-26, by the collar I8, the links 86- 88, and the ears 94-96, respectively, to swing the grappling arms 24-26 toward and away from each other. The power unit 66 may be any one of several types which are well known to those skilled in the art, but I prefer to use a pneumatically or hydraulically operated power unit 66 wherein the piston 6'! may be caused to reciprocate in the cylinder 66, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art, by feeding working fluid such as compressed air, or the like, into and out of, the cylinder 68 through suitable means, such as coupling members I62 and I93 mounted on the opposite end portions of the cylinder 68, Fig. 2.

Suitable lifting means such as, for example, U-shaped members or eyes I96 and I61, Figs. 1, 8 and 9, may be mounted on the opposite end portions of the frame 22 by a suitable means such as welding I 69 to afford means whereby the grab 26 may be readily engaged by a suitable lifting member such as the customary hooks on a power hoist, or the like, for the purpose of lifting and transporting the grab.

It will be seen that my novel grab is especially well adapted for supportingly engaging molds, and the like, of other than the conventional for-ms, such as for example, whee1 molds, and the like, the grappling arms 24-26 affording means whereby the mold may be suspended from three points and being adapted to be readily swung toward and away from each other under positive pressure exerted by the power unit 66, the jaws 66-62 being thereby swung into and out of work-engaging position.

In the operation of the grab 26, working fluid such as, for example, air, may be fed into the cylinder 68 through the coupling I62 to thereby cause the plunger 69 to be moved downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 2. Such downward movement of the plunger 69 is effective, through the links 66-88, respectively, to swing the grappling arms 24-26 outwardly toward the positions shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, so that the grab may be lowered over the article to be engaged thereby. After the grab 29 has thus been lowered over the article to be engaged thereby, working fluid may be fed into the cylinder 68 through the coupling member 593 to thereby move the plunger 69 upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 2, and thereby swing the grappling arms 24-26 into engagement with the article of work disposed therebetween. Usually, projections such as, for example, the lugs II9 formed on the mold 48, are afforded on the article to be raised by the grab 20. However, if no such projections areafforded, the jaws 60 may be disposed beneath the article to be supported or, if necessary, may be merely pressed into firm frictional engagement with the side walls of the article to be supported, the power unit 66 preferably being of the type which, when necessary, is capable of exerting substantial'inwardly acting force on the grappling arms 24-26.

The parts of my novel grab 20, and especially the guide arms 42-44 and the grappling arms thus supported in a manner whereby the guide arms 46 and A! are especially effective to prevent lateral tipping of the article in the grappling arms.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have afforded a novel grab which is especially well adapted for use in picking up and transporting wheel molds and other molds of round or uncommon shape.

Also, it will be seen that I have afforded a novel grab wherein the grappling arms thereof are operable to be moved in a positive manner in both a work-engaging and work-disengaging direction.

In addition, it will be seen that I have provided a novel grab which is operable in a novel and expeditious manner to firmly and positively support articles of work such as round wheel molds, and the like.

Furthermore, it will be seen that I have afforded a novel grab of the aforementioned type which is efficient in operation and which may be economically produced commercially.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification and I therefore do not Wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A grab of the type adapted to supportingly engage articles of work to be transported, said grab comprising a supporting frame, a plurality of elongated guide arms suspended from said frame in spaced relation to each other, a plurality of grappling arms pivotally mounted on said guide arms in depending relation to said frame, each of said grappling arms being mounted on a respective pair of said guide arms, and said grappling arms being pivotable on said guide arms toward and away from each other into and out of work-engaging position, and means mounted on said frame and connected to said grappling arms for moving the latter into and out of said work-engaging position, said grappling arms being adapted when in workengaging position to support an article of work in engagement with one end portion of said guide arms to thereby clamp said work between said guide arms and said grappling arms.

2. A grab of the type adapted to support articles of work to be transported, and to releasably clamp such articles of work therein, said grab comprising a supporting frame, a plurality of grappling arms, means including a plurality of guide arms suspended from said frame for pivotally suspending said grappling armsfrom said frame, said grappling arms being pivotable on said means into and out of work-engaging position and being adapted when disposed in said work-engaging position to support such an article of work in clamped engagement with said guide arms, a cylinder mounted on said frame, and a plunger reciprocably mounted in said cylinder and projecting between said grappling arms, said plunger being connected to said grappling arms and being operable upon reciprocation in said cylinder to pivot said grappling arms on said means into and out of said workengaging position.

3. A grab of the type adapted to support articles of work to be transported, and to releasably clam such articles of work therein, said grab comprising a supporting frame, a plurality of elongated guide arms mounted on and projecting downwardly from said frame in spaced relation to each other, said guide arms having inwardly and downwardly opening notches therein, hanger members mounted on said guide arms, a plurality of grappling arms pivotally mounted on said hanger members and projecting below said guide arms, each grappling arm being pivotally mounted between two adjacent guide arms on hanger members mounted on said two adjacent guide arms, said grappling arms being operable to be pivoted into and out of workengaging position and being adapted when disposed in Work-engaging position to support such an article of work below and between said guide arms and in clamped engagement therewith in said notches, and means reciprocably mounted on said frame and connected to said grappling arms for moving the latter into and out of said work-engaging position.

WALTER J. OLSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

